Nightshift 19 - F1 Hall

[lustful_thing]

Another night in this place. And, if the intercom was to be believed, more experimentation. Lust realized that she needed to learn the fake names of her companions, to be on the lookout for things such as this. She knew her supposed name, but no others. Ah well. She could only hope that Scar, Dias or River weren't among the ones taken. And

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[lapis_inferno]

Dante squinted, following the beam of another's flashlight, trying to make out the other's features in the dark. The voice on the intercom had disturbed her greatly, and not just because night was falling again and she knew something terrible was in store for her. No, the voice had sounded too giddy, hinting at something entirely different than what she had been used to hearing at night. The very thought of new, unforseen horrors sent shivers racing down Dante's back. She wanted this to stop, but slowly she was losing faith in her ability to get away from this place. She was trapped in a cage, without her alchemy and without the Stone. It would only be a matter of time before she withered away completely, if the nurses or the other patients didn't get to her first, of course.

The twilight was as melancholy as a funeral. She should've been rejoicing after her chance encounter with Hohenheim's beautiful son, but it wasn't enough to make her forget the humiliation she had felt in the showers that morning. She was powerless in this place, and she hated it. And, even worse, nobody seemed to care about her anymore. They were supposed to be afraid of her, not outwardly rude and cruel to her face! She simply wasn't used to that kind of treatment, and she hated it.

Quickening her pace, she followed the flashlight, pausing only when she was certain she was following a patient and not a nurse. "Hello?" Her voice sounded a little too frightened. She hated it. Swallowing the lump that had swelled in the back of her throat, she began again, this time firmer and braver. "Who's there? It's me, Ophelia. Can I join you tonight?"

[lustful_thing]

"Hmm?" Lust turned before the name registered. Ophelia. The fake name her master had adopted in this place. When the beam of her flashlight fell upon the petite woman, Lust's features slipped into a scowl. She smoothed it away as quickly as she could, composing her features into a bland and bored mask.

"Oh. It's you. Are you armed?" was all Lust asked. She chose her words carefully, though her tone was matter of fact. "I can't afford any dead weight." She could leave the woman there, but that would give Dante a chance to get her claws into someone unsuspecting. At least if Dante was with her, Lust could keep an eye on her. And she'd already warned Ginji ahead of time, and Scar, Dias and River knew the dangers Dante presented as well.

Of course, there was always the chance they would encounter monsters, and Dante would fall to them. That was a pleasant thought, and Lust smiled some as she entertained the notion.

[lapis_inferno]

Dante's eyes narrowed slightly. She wasn't about to admit that she wasn't armed, and hadn't yet been given anything with which she could make any sort of weapon. That would only make her sound weak, and weakness would only encourage Lust to rebel even more than she already had.

The very sight of the Homunculus made Dante want to scream. She knew she was spreading rumors about her throughout the hospital, and after the open defiance Lust had exhibited in the showers Dante wanted nothing more than to hurt her. But she knew that wasn't an option. The thought of ignoring Lust's rebelliousness wasn't nearly as bad as the thought of spending the night alone in the hospital.

"I, I," tears spilled down Dante's cheeks: some real, and some forced. She never let anyone see her cry, and yet now, it seemed, drumming up sympathy was the final option she had left. "I just don't know what to do. Please don't leave me, Lust."

[lustful_thing]

"Stop it." Lust's voice snapped like a whip's crack. "I don't care for displays of emotion."

She watched the woman critically, eyeing her, sizing her up. Even if the pouring of tears was fake, it showed how desperate the woman truly was. And of course she would be desperate - she had no allies. Lust held up her hand, displaying her curved, deadly looking metal claws.

"Perhaps you and I can strike a deal. You're quite familiar with those, I'm sure. But keep in mind that here and now, I hold the cards. I have a legion of allies who have sworn to protect me. There are men here who would gladly die for me if I so much as asked. I have weapons at my disposal, knowledge of this place and its workings, and gifts you could never imagine." Lust grinned, bluffing, but willing to. "You saw in the shower - this place has made me more than human but less than homunculus. I retain my inhuman abilities, but... well, let's simply say that those years of schooling me in alchemy have finally paid off. So tell me, Dante, are you willing to bargain? Or shall I leave you for the beasts of this place?"

Oh, it was bold and dangerous, but Lust wanted her revenge. And what better than to subjugate the very woman who had enslaved her for so long?

[lapis_inferno]

Dante stared at the other woman's hand, willing her mind to tell her that everything that was happening was simply a dream. Things weren't supposed to turn out like this! Even with the best laid plans Dante was failing, and there was little left for her to do without finding someone with which she could ally herself.

It was degrading and downright disgusting, but she didn't have much of a choice. Wiping the crocodile tears from her cheeks, she set her lip into a firm smile, hoping to trick the Homunculus but somehow knowing she would fail. "I suppose I don't have much of a choice." Her voice was small as she inched forward, grimacing as she watched the woman from the shower approach them. Not only would Lust humiliate her: she would humiliate her in front of one of the other patients. As if she hadn't done a good enough job of that already.

Standing at Lust's side, Dante looked up, humbled by the other woman's towering form. Lust was beautiful in ways Dante could never even hope to be: her body was perfect in every way, and her eyes were piercing and mysterious. Dante couldn't help but feel insignificant, even as she reminded herself that she was the one who had given Lust that form and therefore it belonged not to Lust, but to her. But in her present condition, any reassurance Dante attempted fell flat.

"Yes, I suppose I'm willing. If you are, of course."

[lustful_thing]

Lust, on the other hand, was completely intent upon the woman she had once called master. She grinned, running the tips of her claws over her cheeks. She was toying with the woman, toying with her as Dante had toyed with so many others.

"Then I propose a deal. There are many here who wish to see you dead, Dante." Oh, how liberating it was to call the woman by her name! "And they will kill you. They are stronger than you and have no qualms over killing a woman - they know what you are. I will protect you - I carry a good deal of clout among those who wish to see you dead. But I won't do so for free." Lust moved closer and reached out, running her fingers along Dante's cheek in a mockery of a caress.

"No. You will get nothing from me for free. But you did protect me, once, in exchange for my services and my loyalty. Well, let's not try and pretty up our former arrangement with more of your false promises and nice little lies - I was your slave. You were my master. And now... I call on equivalent exchange." Lust leaned down, her violet eyes narrowed and her aubergine lips curved up in a malicious grin. She paused as though she would kiss the other woman, lips near Dante's.

"I will give you what you gave to me.... if you give me what I gave to you."

[lapis_inferno]

Dante fought the urge to jerk away from the other woman's touch: one part of her loving the contact and the other screaming that she was being degraded. Lust's skin no longer felt as cold against Dante's cheek, but she couldn't bask in the warmth without remembering that their roles were reversed and that this time she wouldn't be calling the shots. Lust's advances were out of her hands, and now she was the one at the Homunculus' mercy.

"Equivalent exchange," Dante growled, hating the sound of the word on her lips. She had never believed in equivalent exchange, at least not since she had helped Hohenheim create and utilize the Philosopher's Stone. The idea had seemed obsolete for the many centuries Dante had spent hurting everyone else without receiving any pain any return. But then, after Hohenheim left, she started to question the idea once again. Karma. Did she really deserve this?

No, of course she didn't. She had transcended the laws of nature and divinity the day she first held the Stone in her hands. But for now, at least, she would have to pretend she agreed, at least until some other option came to light. Dante had always gained strength through other people, and being ostracized by the other patients, in addition to being quite lonely, would only drive her further and further from her goal. She'd have to cooperate, at least for now.

Stretching up onto her toes, she sealed the distance between them, planting a teasing kiss on the other woman's lips. "I guess that's how things have to be, Lust." She murmured against the other's mouth. "As long as the others agree to cooperate with you, as well. I'm not sure you'll be able to convince the Elrics and the Colonel to leave me alone, but I hope you will try your best."

[lustful_thing]

Lust waited while the woman so clearly worked things over in her mind. She wouldn't make this offer again. If refused, she'd kill the woman herself and be done with it. It was simply easier than dealing with worrying about what she would do, what lies she would spread.

But it seemed as though Dante was as desperate as Lust had believed. The woman's kiss was like poison, and Lust nipped at the woman's lower lip with her teeth. How dare the woman take such liberties?

"You do not touch unless invited," Lust warned her, her voice smooth as silk and hard as steel. "Would you like me to tell you about Mustang and the young Elrics?" More bluffing, somewhat. Her voice was a teasing, taunting whisper. "Would you like to know what Mustang sounds like when he moans? Or perhaps how the skin of one of the Elric brothers tastes? I could tell you, if I wanted."

Not exactly lies. She had heard the colonel moan in pain and she had kissed Alphonse once - on the cheek, to wind him to her and keep him loyal and in love with her. But she knew the words to remind Dante that here, she had everything and her former master had nothing.

"And I meant what I said. I give you exactly what you gave me. One step out of line, and I will kill you myself."

[lapis_inferno]

That's not fair! Dante wanted to say, but she caught herself, biting her tongue as her hands balled up into fists behind her back. Sure, she had killed Lust more than a few times, but Lust had been immortal and her death had lasted mere seconds before she was able to regenerate. And even then Dante had done it for Lust's own good: she was teaching her how to act like a human, and how to be loyal to a master. But Lust seemed to be forgetting everything.

"I raised you, you know." She whispered, her voice hoarse from impending tears. "If I hadn't found you you would've died a monster in a shack in Ishbal. Don't you think you owe me a little more respect than this?"

But she was afraid she had said too much. Staring at the ground, she faked a gesture of humility, hopeful that Lust would not see through her act. But the things the Homunculus had said infuriated her beyond words. So, she had bedded the Elric boys? The very thought made her want to scream. They were hers, not Lust's! How dare she even think of such a thing?

"I don't believe you've been with Edward." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "He's in love with...somebody else. As is the Colonel." She wasn't certain of what she was saying, but it was at least reassuring. "Those boys are like their father. They're loyal." Unlike you, Dante wanted to add, but she digressed.

[lustful_thing]

"Yes, you did raise me." Lust wet her lips, still grinning. "And this is what I have become - you. And don't pretend to see the future, Dante. You've no idea what would have happened to me. I owe you nothing. You took from me everything I had after years of false promises. You destroyed all that I held dear in the world and in the end... you destroyed me. I owe you nothing but the same deceit and trickery you gave to me. But I'll be kind to you - what with your condition."

She chuckled as Dante attempted to refute her claims. "And love and loyalty matter in a place like this?" She threw back her head and laughed. A good thing she had warned Mustang about her bluff before hand.

"Ask the colonel himself. And as for the Elric boy's..." She bowed her head, smiling. "I never did say Edward, did I? But they're as weak to a pretty face as any man. Or shall I show you the gifts and notes of affection? If you're in need of proof....? But come. We're wasting our time here."

Lust straightened up then, looking down at her former master with disdain. "You never answered my question. Are you armed?"

[lapis_inferno]

"Of course I'm armed." Dante smiled, bringing her hands to her chest as if preparing to perform a transmutation. She was the most powerful alchemist in this place, and perhaps even the most powerful patient. Although the hospital had weakened her abilities, she still believed she would be able to regain them. She only needed allies now to protect her while she reevaluated the situation and worked to find a possible solution. After that, her escape would be easy, and she would certainly remember who had helped her and who had not when that time came.

"Loyalty is a very valuable thing, Lust. I'm afraid that's what the Elric boys just don't understand. We are from the same world. We know the same science and together we can find a way to overcome these "doctors". Edward is young and stubborn, but I have seen enough in my lifetimes to know that sometimes making an allegiance with those who have wronged you to protect your own life isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm glad you have finally come to your senses about this."

Reaching forward, she touched the woman's arm in a gesture vaguely reminiscent of their former relationship, withdrawing as she noted the scowl playing on Lust's lips. "We'll be powerful together, you and I. I've always admired your strength, even though sometimes I was unable to express my feelings. If you'd like, I can teach you alchemy, but we'll have to start after the sun comes up. Equivalent Exchange, and such."

Lust had won. She had forced Dante to show her some respect, and Dante was willing because she was out of options. But the tables would soon turn. Dante would make sure of that.

[lustful_thing]

"You misunderstand the nature of our arrangement," Lust said, raising an eyebrow. "We have no alliance, you and I. I will protect you and look after you in the same way a human would look after a pet - nothing more." She scoffed then, a small noise. "Edward and Alphonse understand loyalty far better than you ever will. Loyalty is just a word to you. You've never been loyal to anyone or anything in your life. I understand loyalty. Loyalty to those who have helped me, loyalty to those who care for me... you've never had anyone care for you, not really. Only for your pretty little lies." She shook her head.

"Alchemy is worthless here. Have you a real weapon?" She didn't have time for the woman's games. She hoped Dante would drop them soon enough, but she knew she was asking the impossible. "I have no need of you teaching me anything. You will be quiet unless you're spoken to, and you will not touch me unless given leave. Do I make myself clear?"

[lapis_inferno]

Dante sniffed, but remained silent. Loyalty. Sure, she understood loyalty. She had once been loyal to the man she loved, but when he left her everything she had once thought about alliances and relationships fell apart completely. She had lost the ability to care about anyone other than herself, and it was all because of him.

It was easy for them to blame her for all the unfortunate events that had befallen Amestris, but what they failed to acknowledge was that it was Hohenheim, not her, who had acted as the catalyst. She had only been his pet: the wife that stood in the shadows while he made all of the choices. But it was so much easier for them to blame her and not him, because if they were to blame him they would have to admit that the blood running through the Elric boys' veins was filled with malice and deceit. She saw it, but the others tried their best to pretend it wasn't there.

Lust's words hit her like a knife. You've never had anyone care for you. As she listened to Lust voice her deepest fears she had to look away, hoping the darkness would mask the pain in her eyes. She had given everything to be with the man she loved, only to find that in the end he had little interest in her at all. She had been used, and for what? To prolong his own life, and give him the chance to find someone he could truly love. If anyone knew about being used, it was Dante. But Lust would never see that. Dante wouldn't let her.

"No, I don't have one." She glared into the shadows. "I was supposed to make one with Adelheid, but I'm afraid your friends got to him first."

[lustful_thing]

"I have no idea who Adelheid is, but if he's been warned against you, all the better." Lust struck out down the hallway and snapped her fingers, indicating that Dante should follow her. "I suppose we'll have to find you one, then."

Lust didn't quite feel like wandering all over the hospital to find the woman a weapon. And she certainly didn't trust Dante with anything dangerous. If they found her something, they found her something. If they didn't....

"I'm meeting with one of my allies in the men's wing," she explained. "And don't bother trying your wiles on him, he's already well aware of who and what you are."

[lapis_inferno]

Lingering back for a moment, Dante looked over her shoulder, scanning the shadows for a trace of the woman she had seen before. But the hallway seemed deserted, consumed by the shadows once again.

"I suppose you've made it your mission to warn them all about me, correct?" She knew she was stepping out of line, but she couldn't help herself. Dante wasn't used to holding her tongue. "Do you really want to see me dead that badly?"

But inside, Dante knew this wasn't the case. If Lust wanted her dead, she wouldn't have made this deal in the first place. No, Lust wanted something even more painful than death for her master. She wanted to humiliate her and shame her, because she knew that Dante was weak against such attacks. Regaining her dignity after Hohenheim's disappearance had been a top priority for Dante, and yet now the very children of the man who had shamed her in the first place, along with a creature who had once been her pawn, were doing their best to shame her again, and she could do little to stop them.

Besides, Dante was curious to see the men's wing. If she found Adelheid she might have some chance at taking her own path. She would have to make him her top priority for now.

[lustful_thing]

"I simply have no desire for you to interfere with my plans. I warn who I think to warn. Don't flatter yourself in thinking you play into my grand scheme in any way." Lust swung the beam of the flashlight down the hallway, eyes open for monsters and other patients.

"I don't care what happens to you, to be quite honest. But I'd like to have a bit of fun with you before you finally slip loose the mortal coil. I owe it to you, after all." She turned and gave the woman a hateful grin over her shoulder.